GC2016 Update: South Georgia Edition
The United Methodist Church’s top legislative body is meeting at the Oregon Convention Center, the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, from May 10-20, 2016.
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church which convenes once every four years. The conference can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs.
The daily news update will not be delivered tomorrow, May 15, 2016, as General Conference will observe a day of rest.
Saturday, May 14 Highlights
Decoration of the main stage and altar during General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
General Conference Day 5
After a morning worship service with a message from Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar of the New England Annual Conference followed by a morning plenary session, delegates spent the rest of the day in legislative committees.
With the first week of General Conference coming to a close, tomorrow will be a day of Sabbath for delegates as they rest and regroup for the week ahead. Please continue to lift up the General Conference, and specifically our South Georgia delegation, in prayer as they participate in this important work of the church. Monday begins the part of the legislative process where voting takes place to revise church law, adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues, as well as approve plans and budgets for church-wide programs.
Two ambassadors of God’s love share young people’s address
Peter Cibuabua of the Central Congo Conference (left) and Chelsea Spyres of the Peninsula-Deleware Conference (second from left) celebrate with other presenters at the conclusion of the young people's address at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
(UMNS) While only two young people spoke on the General Conference stage this morning, thousands more stood with them. Chelsea Spyres and Peter Cibuabua began their witness by identifying themselves as “ambassadors sharing young people’s voices from around the world.” That voice declared the uncompromising nature of God’s love and grace for all people. “The objective of this message is to help you, our brothers and sisters in the church, to understand how widely and deeply the young people are engaged in Christ’s journey with energy and love,” they said. Read more || Read Transcript
What does GC2016 mean to my church?
(UMC.org) What happens at General Conference and what does that mean to your local congregation? Joe Iovino reports on how action at the denomination’s top legislative body affects local churches. Read story
Live Stream Archives
On-demand and downloadable versions of the daily General Conference plenary sessions, worship, and addresses are now available. View here
Interviews with United Methodist Leaders
(UMNS) Casual conversations with United Methodist leaders about what is happening at General Conference 2016 can be found in the Digital Lounge. Visit the lounge.
Audio Stories Cover Range of Topics
(UMNS) Audio podcasts at General Conference 2016 are just a click away. Hear a young Iowa delegate tell about the church’s role in her life, follow the Episcopal Address, or learn about the role of the Daily Christian Advocate. Check them out.
May 14 wrap-up: Young ambassadors share hope, committee work finishes
Read the UMNS wrap-up for May 14.
Join us in Prayer
Featured Delegate: Dr. Bob Moon, senior pastor of Valdsota First UMC
As General Conference enters into a day of Sabbath tomorrow, Dr. Bob Moon writes a Sabbath prayer for us to pray on this day of rest and worship.
“On this day, the Lord’s Day, we receive the gift of rest and we worship our risen Savior!
'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'
Father, we have worked hard and prayed hard this past week. We have tried to seek your will. We confess how hard it is to hear your still, small voice through the clamor of other voices and the din of our own. Have mercy and forgive us, we pray.
We give thanks for The United Methodist Church. You raised it up to 'spread scriptural holiness across the land.' As we worship today, remind us of John Wesley’s charge: 'You have nothing to do but save souls.'
Monday we will gather to continue the work of discerning your will for our church. Grant us both grace and courage to 'speak the truth in love.'
But for today, let us us heed the invitation of Jesus: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'"
-Bob Moon
Daily Devotions for May 16 - May 20
In the opening worship service of General Conference, San Francisco Area Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., president of the Council of Bishops, said, “Like the first disciples, some of us may have come to this meeting of Jesus’ people we call General Conference with some mixture of hope and uncertainty. There are many issues on our agenda. So many things for you to consider as the plans for the church’s future are adopted.”
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As General Conference delegates continues to grapple with this hope and uncertainty and make decisions that will shape the direction of The United Methodist Church, we invite you to join in scripture reading and reflection through a daily devotion written by Rev. Jay Hanson, senior pastor of The Chapel UMC in Brunswick, Ga. and a South Georgia Conference delegate to General Conference.
We pray that these devotions will help us unite as brothers and sisters in Christ and “strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up,” as Paul wrote to the Romans (14:19).
Click here to view the devotions for each day. Please share with others!
Devotion for Monday, May 16: A Spirit of Unity
By Rev. Jay Hanson
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
Be encouraged to continue working together, for through your unity God will be glorified. God empowers supernatural teamwork! Live in that reality.
Reflection:
- Have I been selfish?
- Am I harboring any hard feelings toward someone?
- Who could use some extra encouragement today?
Prayer: Father, forgive your family for feuding so frequently. Give me a generous spirit toward my brothers and sisters and enable me to have a Christ-like attitude. Your Son came to serve, not to be served. He redefined true leadership. Help me to live like Jesus so that others might see Him in me. In the holy and matchless name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Action Belief = Faith
Find a way to encourage someone today – anonymously!![]()
Schedule for Sunday, May 15
Sunday, May 15 is a Sabbath day of rest for delegates to the General Conference. Conference will resume on Monday, May 16.
Schedule for Monday, May 16
Streaming Schedule
**Reminder: All times are Pacific Standard
- 8:00 A.M.: Worship (11:00 AM EST)
- 9:00 A.M.: Reports (12:00 noon EST)
- 10:20 A.M.: Elections (1:20 PM EST)
- 2:00 P.M.: Calendar Items & Conference Business (5:00 PM EST)
- 3:53 P.M.: 150th Anniversary: United Methodist Women (6:53 PM EST)
- 4:20 P.M.: Calendar Items & Conference Business (7:20 EST)
- 5:25 P.M.: Africa University (8:25 PM EST)
- 5:40 P.M.: Higher Education Report (8:40 PM EST)
- 6:10 P.M.: Closing Devotion (9:10 PM EST)
Full Schedule: This agenda shows the overall program of the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon. View Schedule
Daily Christian Advocate
The Daily Christian Advocate (DCA) is the official journal of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. It serves as the record of those who have been elected to serve as delegate, the legislation submitted, and the decisions made by the General Conference.
May 14, 2016 - 05-14 DCA (Vol. 4, No. 5)
May 13, 2016 - 05-13 DCA (Vol. 4, No. 4)
May 12, 2016 - 05-12 DCA (Vol. 4, No. 3)
May 11, 2016 - 05-11 DCA (Vol. 4, No. 2)
May 10, 2016 - 05-10 DCA (Vol. 4, No. 1)
See the Advance Daily Christian Advocate, which contains all of the legislation submitted for consideration by the delegates.
Following General Conference
Daily Email Update Archives
Friday, May 13: Laity Address, State of the Church report
Thursday, May 12: Rule 44 does not pass
Wednesday, May 11: Episcopal address, more Rule 44 debate
Tuesday, May 10: General Conference Opens with Worship and Communion
Monday, May 9: One Day Until General Conference
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